Body found north of Anchorage not missing barista

ANCHORAGE — A body found near a lake north of Anchorage is not that of a barista missing for nearly two months after being kidnapped from a coffee stand, police said Wednesday.

The body found by a person snowshoeing in a state park Tuesday evening is male, police department spokesman Dave Parker said Wednesday.

The discovery of the remains led to speculation that it was 18-year-old Samantha Koenig. The young woman has not been seen since Feb. 1 when a surveillance camera captured images of her being led away from the coffee shack by a man who police believe was armed.

The case of the missing barista has galvanized the city in recent weeks with dozens of volunteers plastering the city with posters of the young woman’s smiling face in hopes of aiding her safe return. Earlier this month, a 34-year-old Anchorage man was arrested in Texas for using her credit card or bank card, but police won’t say if he’s a suspect in her disappearance.

Israel Keyes’ arrest in Lufkin was the result of a combined effort of Anchorage police, the FBI and Texas authorities.

Parker said it had not yet been determined if the body found at Eklutna Lake is connected to any other missing persons cases in Anchorage.